Michigan Rep. Rogers' Brother Not Expected to Run for Congress

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Mich., says his older brother Bill apparently has decided not to run for the 8th Congressional District seat that Rogers is vacating.

Shortly after Rogers announced his decision to leave Congress on Friday, speculation began that his brother, state Rep. Bill Rogers, would toss his hat in the ring to succeed him.
Had Bill Rogers done so and won, it would have marked the first time one brother had succeeded another in Congress since Democrat Sam Ervin succeeded his brother Joe Ervin in 1945.

But in an exclusive Newsmax interview with "America's Forum" host J.D. Hayworth, himself a former congressman, Rogers said it appears that his brother will not be running.

"I've had great conversations with him," said Rogers. "This does impact your quality of life and where he's at, I'm just not sure this is the right fit at the right time. And I think he's going to pass on the race."

Rogers has held the 8th district seat for 13 years. Cumulus Media has signed him up to host a syndicated talk-radio show.

Rogers said he's been talking with Michigan state Sen. Mike Bishop about succeeding him. Bishop's Oakland County district makes up nearly half of the 8th Congressional District, which could position him to become Rogers' successor.

"We're continuing to have conversations with him," said Rogers. "If he decides to run, he is going to be a great candidate and the candidate to beat."

Although former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney carried the district over President Barack Obama by 3 percentage points, Democrats see Rogers' retirement as a prime opportunity to pick up an open seat.

Also, former Michigan GOP chairman Saul Anuzis announced on his blog Friday that he may toss his hat in the ring, calling it "a unique time in Michigan's political history where we have a real opportunity to hold this congressional seat for Republicans and a constitutional conservative."

Anuzis said he will spend a few weeks exploring his options and gauging support for his candidacy. Several Democratic names are being floated as possible candidates. Former state Rep. Barb Byrum told The Detroit News she's "seriously considering it."

Susan Grettenberger, an associate professor at Central Michigan University, also announced her intention to run for the seat last month. Several other high-profile Democrats in the district are expected to consider making a bid.

Rogers told Hayworth he may return to politics someday. But for now, he's excited about his new talk-radio adventure, he said.

"It gives me an opportunity to talk to people all over the country about American exceptionalism, the future of America, the issues of the day, national security, and foreign policy in a way I just don't hear interjected into the public debate," Rogers told Newsmax.

"And this would be a great opportunity for me to have that public debate … move that needle a little bit and get America moving to a more self-confident, self-appreciating position as we go into 2016, understanding that America's role in the world is critically important and so is a strong national defense," he added.